Method and apparatus for unloading high-explosive shells



1 9 Nov. 31.44

T. F. KNIGHT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UNLOADING HIGH EXPLOSIVE SHELLSFiled June 13 1924 INVENTOR, Thomas Fl lfmy/zt.

ATTORNEY-5 I/ll/l/oI/Vlllll mercial Patented Nov. 18, 1924.

1,516,343 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS KNIGHT, OF LYNDHURST, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO COLUMBIA SALVAGE ICORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

HETEOD'AND APPARATUS FOR UNLOADING HIGH-EXPLOSIVE SHELLS.

Application filed June 18, 1924. Serial No. 719,767.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS F. KNIGHT, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and resident of Lyndhurst, in the county of Bergen and State ofNew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methodsand Apparatus for Unloading High-Explosive Shells (Case No. 14), ofwhich the following is a specification.

The main object of this invention is to provide a new and useful .methodand apparatus for unloading high-explosive shells and separating andrecovering the materials forming the high-explosive charge. It isnecessary that the entire high-explosive charge be removed from theshells in order that the empty shells may be safely melted or reduced ina blast furnace or otherwise. These shells are of high quality steel andare valuable provided the explosive charge is entirely removed. When thehigh-exp1o-- sive charge is a mixture of several diiferent kinds ofmaterial it is'desirable to separate those materials after the chargehas been removed from the shell, in order to render such materialsseparately available for comurposes. Y

A hig -explosive shell for artillery use consists, ordinarily, of ahollow steel shell filled with a charge of high explosive. The.

shell is usually pointed at one end, and said pointed end is known asthe nose. In the nose is formed a longitudinally extending threadedaperture in which is screwed a flange adapter ring, said ri g carrying abooster casing which extends into the shell and contains the so-calledbooster charge.

The fuse, or fuse stock, is screwed into the adapter ring and this alsocarries a small charge of explosive within the booster casmg. A greatmany of these high explosive shells are charged with amatol. Amatol is amixture of ammonium nitrate and trinitrotoluol (TNT) in properproportions. It 18 fluid or semi-fluid at certaln temperatures and maybe readil poured into-the shell. It cools and solidil ies within theshell and becomes a substantially solid mass of material whichcomplletely fills the entire shell except for a sma space at the nose,which is designed to receive the booster casin Other similar hi hexplosives are used, suii as pure TNT. e main purpose of this inventionis to provide a method and apparatus for safely, completely and quicklyremoving the amatol from the shells and separating it into TNT andammonium nitrate. The process is also adapted for use in removing TNTand other similar high explosive charges from shells.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation, partly insection, of an apparatus for carrying out the invention;

Fig. 2 an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig.3 a detail side elevation of one of the spray nozzles of theapparatus; and

' Fig. 4 a view showing the lower end of the spray nozzle.

In carrying out this invention the adapter ring and the booster casingare first removed thereby leaving the threaded aperture in the nose ofthe shell open so that access ma be had therethrough to the interior ofthe s ell. When the booster casing is removed the booster cavity in theexplosive charge is open to and axially in line with the threaded ap-.each' of the openings '2 1n the'plank is fitted the lower end of avertically disposed c lin drical casing 3. The casing 3 is in the orm ofa pipe union and is provided intermediate its length with oppositelyextending branches 4 and 5 of relatively small diameter. The branches 4and 5 are adapted to 'rest upon the upper face of the plank 2 and holdthe-casing in place within the hole 2. The lower end of the casing isclosed by a threaded plug 6'and the'u per end. of the casing is open'and-adapte to receive and *snugly engage the tapered end of a shell andsupport the said shell in an upright position with its lower endextending down mto the casing. A steam sup 1y pipe 7 extends.longitudinally beneath t esupporting plank 1 and said pipe has a seriesof steam et nozzles 8 extending upwardly therefrom. Each of the nozzles8 extends upwardly through an opening in the center of the casin plug 6into the casing and has its upper end open and disposed in vertical.alinement with theopen end of a shell when the shell is supported by thecasing. A tubular spray nozzle 9 is disposed within the casing 3 withits lower end surrounding the upper end of above the upper end of theeasing into thethe steam jet nozzle 8 and resting upon the plug 6, andwith its upper end extending booster cavity of the 'shell forsubstantially the length of the said cavity. 1 The spray nozzle 9 restsloosely upon the plug 6 and may be readily removed from the casing togive access to the jet nozzle 8 or to clean the spray nozzle. While thecasings 8 are shown and described as mounted upon a plank, it is obviousthat other suitable means for supporting the casings could be used.

The openings through the branches 1 and 5 of the casing 3 arespacedamaterial. distance above the bottom of the casing formed by the plug 6and also above the upper end of the steam jet nozzle 8. A well which isadapted to contain li uid is thus formed in the casing below the ranch4. The spray nozzle 9 is materially larger in diameter than the steamjet nozzle which it surrounds and is formed at its lower end withapertures or notches 10 through which the liquid in the well is adaptedto circulate. The .branch 4 provides an overflow for the well andgoverns the height of the liquid level therem. When the liquid rises tothelevel of the branch 4 the upper end of the steam jet nozzle withinthe spray nozzle will be submerged with liquid to the properdepth. Apipe 11' leads downwardly from the branch 4 of each of the casings 3 andconnects with an inclined drain ipe 12 empties into a settling tank 13.The

\ oranch 5 of each of the casings 3 connects by means ofan upwardlyextendin elbow it to a-liquid supply pipe 15 Whlll leads from anelevated tank 16 and is adapted to supply liquid to the wells in thecasing 3. The tank 16 is adapted to receive water from p a source, notshown, through a pipe 17, the

.I water being elevated to the tank by a suitable pump 18. The flow ofwater to the pump is regulated by means of a valve 19 and the flow ofliquid from the tank 16 to the casings 3 is regulatedby. means-025avalve 20 in the supply pipe 15. The steam supply to the steam jetnozzles is regulated by means of a valve 21 in the steam supply 7. Abranch pipe 22 leads upwardly from the pi e 7 an is adapted to supplysteam to a eatingcoil 23 within the tanklti, whereby the liquid isheated before its delivery to the wells in the casings 3. The supply ofsteam to the heating coil 23 is regulated by .means of a valve 24 inthepipe 22. The tank 13 is connected by means of an overflow duct 25 toa second tank 26.

zles 8 blow up through the spray nozzl 9' and into the booster cavitiesin the ex 10 pipe 12. The 1 sive charges. Some of thesteam will becondensed and the hot water thus formed will flow down into the wells inthe casin s 3..

rises therein above the steam jet nozzles S it will be blown up into theshells by the steam jets. The hot liquid thus blown up into the shellsand swirled around therein by the steam will assist greatly in softeningand liquefying the explosive charge. When the wells in the casing arefull the surplus liquid will overflow into the pipe 12 and from thenceinto the tank 13. In order for the charges to be pro erly liquefied andremoved from the she ls at a rapid rate it is necessary that a certainamount of moisture be delivered in the spray nozzles. If the steam thatis elivered to the'jet nozizl'es is very dry the moisture will beinsutficient to li uefy the charges at the proper rate. In this caseliquid from the tank 16 may be supplied to the casing wells and thenozzles. Through the means of the valve 20 the deliver of liquid may beproperly regulated. At tlie beginning of the operation the shell iscold, the steam condensation therein is rapid and very little or noliquid need be supplied to the nozzles but as the operation progressesthe shells b come heated, there is the delivery of the proper amoimt ofmoisture.

The charge that falls from the shells consists oi a mixture of liquefiedTNT and a solution of ammonium nitrate andwaten,

This mixture flows through the pipe-.ldljto the tanlr 13, wherein theTNT being oi greater specific gravity will be precip tated to the bottomand the ammonium nitrate sirable for commercial reasons that theammonium nitrate solution be of a certain strength, and it may happenthat owing to the delivery of too much water to the shells, through thespray nozzles or through condensation of the steam, that the strength ofthe solution falls below thestandard. This ditiiculty maybe readilyovercome by clos ing the valve 19 in the water pipe. 17 leading the tothe pump 18 and opening the valve-28 in M the pipe 2? lea ing fromtheammonium ni- 'trate solution tank 26 to the pump. 'Ammonium nitratesolution will then be ole livered to the tank 16, where it will beheated and delivered to thecasings it and the spraynozzles in accordancewith the ad j ustment of the feed valve 20. By a proper adjustment ofthe difi'erent valves to cut down the water supply and re-circulate thenitrate solution, as described, the strength of the solution in the tank26 may be built up to the required degree.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for liqueiying and removing a solidified charge rom ashell, comprising a casing formed with a circular opening in its upperend and adapted to hold a shell in an upright position with its opentapered end fitting in said circular opening and extending downwardlyinto the casing, and an upwardly directed steam jet nozzle within thecasing in vertical alinement with the open end of the shell, the casingbeing formed with a well in* its lower end adapted to contain liquid andformed with an overflow drain opening above the level of the upper endof the steam jet nozzle, whereby .the nozzle is adapted to be submergedby the liquid in the well.

2. An apparatus for liquefying and removing asolidified charge from ashell, comprising a casing having a circular opening in its upper endand adapted to hold a shell 111 an upright position with its opentapered end fitting in said circular opening and extending downwardlyinto thecasing, an upwardly .directedspray nozzle within the casing andadapted to extend upwardly into the shell through the open lower endthereof, and a steam jet nozzle extending up into the spray nozzle, thecasing being formed with a well in its lower end adapted to containliquid and formed with an overflow drain opening above the level of theupper end of the steam 'et nozzle whereby the noz- Z1618 adapted to esubmerged by the liquid in the well. I

3. An apparatus for liquefying and re:

I moving a solidified charge from a shell,

comprising a casing formed with a circular opening in its upper end andadapted to hold a shell in an u right position with its open tapered endttmg 1n said circular opemng and extendin downwardly into the casing, anupwardly irected steam jet noz zle within the casing in verticalalinement with the open end of the shell, the casin being formed with awell in its lower en adapted to contain liquid and formed with anoverflow drain opening above the level of the up er end of the steam jetnozzle whereby t e nozzle is adapted to be sub-" merged by the liquid inthe well, a pipe connected to the casing to supply liquid to the well,and a valve to regulate the flow of liquid through the pipe.

4. An apparatus for liquefying and removing a solidified charge fromashell, comprising a casing adapted to support ashell in anuprightpositlon with its open end ex-.

tending downwardly into the casing, an up-' I the open end of the s ell,con

body of liquid around the spray nozzle and wardly directed steam jetnozzle within the casing in vertical alinement with the open end of theshell, the casing being formed with a well in its lower end adapted tocontain liquid and formed with an over-flow drain opening above thelevel of the upper end of the steam jet nozzle whereby the no?- zle isadapted to be sumerged by the liquid in the well, and valve controlledmeans for delivering liquid to the well fromeither or both of twodifferent sources.

5. An apparatus for liquefying and removing a solidified charge from ashell,-comprising a casing adapted to support a shell in an uprightposition with its open end ex tending downwardly into the casing, anupwardly. directed steam jet nozzle within the casing in verticalalinement with the 'open end of the shell, a steam supply pipe connectedto said nozzle, the casing hein formed with a well in its lower endadapte to contain a liquid and formed with an over-flow opening abovethe level of the upper end of the steam jet nozzle whereby the nozzle isadapted to be submerged by the liquid in the well, a pipe adapted todeliver liquid to the well, a valve for regulating the flow through saidpipe, means foring, the lower end of said casing being closed 7 and theupper end being open and adaptedto support a shell in an upright.position with its open ta ered end fitting in said opening and exten ingdownwardly into the casing a tubular spray nozzle adapted to extendupwardly from the lower closed end of the V caslng and into theloweropen end of the shell, and a steam jet nozzle extending upwardlyinto the casin and into the ower end of the spray nozz e, said casingbeing adapted to contain liquid in its lower en surrounding the steamjet nozzle and formed with a liquid supply opening and a dram opening,said dra n opening being located a 0 ve the upper end 0 the steamet'nozzle and the lower end of the spray nozzle being provided withapertures, whereby the steamjet nozzle is adapted to be submerged by liuid.

k 7. dhe method of removing a solidlfied charge of amatol from a shellconsisting in lacmg the shell with its open end directed downwardly,directin maintaining said liquid at a constant level,

directing a jet of steam up through the spray nozzle and into the shellwhereb the charge will drop from the shell in v e form of a spra nozzleintoti ning a small.

liquefied TNT and ammonium'nitrate solution, separatin the ammoniumnitrate solution from the NT, and re-circulating separatedammonium'nitrate solution to the said blody of liquid surrounding thespray nozz e.

8. An apparatus for liquefying and re- I moving a solidified charge froma shell,

comprising means for supporting a shell in an upright position with itsopen end downwar asteam supply pipe, an upwardly directed steamjetnozzle in vertical alinement with the open end of the shell andconnected to-the steam supply pipe, at well adapted to contain liquidsurroundin the jet nozzle and adapted to permit the liquid to over-flowtherefrom above the level of 'the upper end of the nozzle, and meansindependent of the steam jet nozzle to sup 1y liquid to the well to keepthe upper end of the nozzle submerged.

9. An ap aratus for liquefyin and removing a so idified charge from a sell, comrisin a casing 'havin a circular o enin ih its pper end and adapted to hold shell in an upright position with its open tapered endfitting in said circular opening and extending downwardly into thecasing, an upwardly directed tubular spray nozzle within the casing andadapted to extend upwardly into the shell through the open lower endthereof, and a steam jet nozzle extending up into the lower end of thespray nozzle, the easin being formed with a well in its lower en adaptedto contain. liquid and formed with an over flow opening above the levelof the upper end of the steam jet nozzle and the said spray nozzlebeingvmaterially larger in diameter than the jet nozzle and being looselysupported in the bottom of the well and formed with apertures at itslower end.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

. THOMAS F. KNIGHT.

